Modelling the Impact of Electricity Access on Labour Market Outcomes in Uganda

This study is designed to assess the impact of household electricity access on labour market outcomes in Uganda. The quasi-experimental method is applied on a sample of 28,035 households, divided into two counterfactual of treatment (n=8,925) and control (n=19,110) groups. Results strongly show that access to electricity significantly increases wages while decreasing the time spent at work. Specifically, the average wage of the households with access to electricity increased by 155%, 124% and 154% with the Kernel Matching (KM), Nearest-Neighbor Matching (NNM) and Radius Matching (RM) technique, respectively. The average job duration of households with electricity access decreased by 1.34%, 2.01% and 2.5% with KM, NNM and RM technique, respectively. It is recommended that the government of Uganda should increase electricity generation coverage through alternative sources as renewable and nuclear energy and improve the quality of existing energy infrastructures. JEL codes: C13, C31

Does Health Insurance Lead to Improvement of Health Status Among Chinese Rural Adults? Evidence From the China Family Panel Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine the causal relationship between the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS) and health status among Chinese rural adults. The data were drawn from China Family Panel Studies performed in 2016, involving 2,093 rural adults. Furthermore, this study employed k-nearest neighbor matching out of propensity score matching (PSM) to investigate the impact of NRCMS on health status among rural adults. Moreover, radius matching, kernel matching, and nearest-neighbor matching within caliper out of PSM were adopted to conduct sensitivity analyses. This study demonstrates that NRCMS enrollment has had a significant and positive effect on the self-assessed and mental health of rural adults, and the health effect shows significant age and income disparities. Moreover, the positive health effect may result from 2 channels, including the increase of health services utilization and the fact that adults with NRCMS are more likely to seek health care in lower-level medical institutions.

Impact of the conditional cash transfer program’ on the monthly food expenditure of household beneficiaries

Philippines is among the many countries which has a perennial problem on poverty. The country has made various ways to reduce its poverty rate; one is through conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme. This study measured the impact of CCT Program, particularly on food consumption among its household beneficiaries using Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Impact is measured in terms of the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) using four matching algorithms: Nearest Neighbor Matching, Caliper (Radius) Matching, Kernel Matching, and Local Linear Regression matching. Binary logistic regression was used to identify covariates influencing program participation which include having children who are 6-12 years old, education of the household heads’ spouses, marital status and sex of the household head, housing tenure, and ownership of household assets. Balance test indicates nonsignificant difference between 4Ps and non-4Ps beneficiaries across these covariates. Of the four matching algorithms, the Caliper (radius) matching generated ATT estimate with the least standard error. On the average, using the Caliper matching method, the monthly food expenditure of the household beneficiaries have significantly increased by PHP501.39, Thus, the CCT program of the government has brought significant improvement on the household beneficiaries, not only on education, health, and nutrition but also on their monthly food expenditure. It is recommended that the implementation of the CCT program should be strengthened, sustained, and maintained properly and orderly to gradually alleviate the current poverty conditions in the identified poor barangays around the nation. Moreover, the implementing agencies should consistently monitor the proper and synchronized implementation of the program in order to wholly purge the intergenerational transmission of poverty which is a perennial experience of the households who belong to the poorest populace in the country.

Does Social Franchising Private Health Facilities Shift Consumers Budget Line? An Econometric Analysis of the Average Treatment Effect within Private Health Facilities in Embu County, Kenya

The Kenyan private health sector is one of the most developed in Sub-Saharan Africa and is highly critical in healthcare delivery. It is estimated 47 percent of the first quintile of income earners utilize the private facility for healthcare needs and 33 percent of women seek family planning (FP) services in this sector. However, the cost of healthcare services has been a great impediment to service utilization. To improve service quality and increase access, social franchising, interventions on the demand side such as the use of insurance and vouchers, and supply of subsidized medical products on the supply side are intended to reduce the cost of services. This study sought to investigate the impact of interventions of social franchisors on the cost of healthcare in private facilities in Kenya. The study used primary data collected from 215 individuals living within catchment areas with private health facilities using researcher-administered questionnaire. The main franchisors included in this study were Sustainable Health Foundation (CFW) and Population Services Kenya (Tunza). Results revealed that women whose primary motivation to visit private facilities included FP services, need of a lower cost of treatments, and quality services had higher odds of choosing franchised health facilities. Propensity score matching (PSM) using three matching criteria—nearest neighbor, kernel matching, and radius matching of 0.01—indicated that individuals seeking children’s health services and 3-month FP methods paid similar amounts in either franchised or nonfranchised health facilities. However, there was a huge cost variance for long-term FP methods where women paid significantly less, implying that social franchisors’ main impact is on long-term FP methods. The cost variance was due to vouchers utilized by some respondents hence, incurring zero cost in franchised facilities. Therefore, the study recommends the expansion of social franchising membership and the use of the voucher system for financially incapable consumers.

Comminuted intra articular fracture of distal radius: Outcome of Management with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning.

Objectives: To determine the outcome and various complications in the management of comminuted intra articular fractures of distal radius in adults treated with closed reduction associated with Percutaneous Pinning. Study Design: Observational study. Setting: Department of Orthopaedic PUMHS, Nawabshah. Period: January 2017 to December 2018. Material and Methods: 45 consecutive cases of closed comminuted intra articular fractures of distal radius matching the inclusion criteria, all patients were adult aged between 23 – 38 years having Gartland and Werly type II and III fractures of 6 to 7 days duration. After initial resuscitation, thorough clinical examination done and all base line laboratory investigations and x-rays were obtained. The demographic and clinical data was recorded on a proforma. The patients were informed about the study and surgery and a written consent was taken and all of the patients were gone for closed reduction with percutaneous K – wiring. Functional outcome like union, healing and any complication were assessed. Patients were also checked for the range of movements. After 6 weeks, the K – wires and cast were removed and the procedure of physiotherapy started. After six weeks all the patients were advised for follow up at an interval of 3 months and 6 months. The data collected was statistically analysed and the results were tabulated. Results: 45 cases of closed intra articular fractures of distal radius were assessed, out of these 20 cases have Gartland type II and 25 cases have Gartland type III fractures. The age of patient was ranged between 23 – 38 years (mean 34+ 4.63), majority (55.6%) of patients were male. The left side of fractures were present in 66.3% of cases. All the patients checked for complications and that were seen in only 07 cases consisting of pin tract infection, reduced grip strength and finger stiffness. At the end of study period the range of movements in different directed were checked and evaluation was done according to modified Demerit scoring system. Conclusion: Closed reduction of distal radius with percutaneous pinning in comminuted intra articular fractures gives promising excellent results, it is a simple and minimal procedure providing anatomic reduction, fixation of fracture and maintenance of reduction with an suitable technique of immobilization.

A cell topography-based mechanism for ligand discrimination by the T cell receptor

The T cell receptor (TCR) initiates the elimination of pathogens and tumors by T cells. To avoid damage to the host, the receptor must be capable of discriminating between wild-type and mutated self and nonself peptide ligands presented by host cells. Exactly how the TCR does this is unknown. In resting T cells, the TCR is largely unphosphorylated due to the dominance of phosphatases over the kinases expressed at the cell surface. However, when agonist peptides are presented to the TCR by major histocompatibility complex proteins expressed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), very fast receptor triggering, i.e., TCR phosphorylation, occurs. Recent work suggests that this depends on the local exclusion of the phosphatases from regions of contact of the T cells with the APCs. Here, we developed and tested a quantitative treatment of receptor triggering reliant only on TCR dwell time in phosphatase-depleted cell contacts constrained in area by cell topography. Using the model and experimentally derived parameters, we found that ligand discrimination likely depends crucially on individual contacts being ∼200 nm in radius, matching the dimensions of the surface protrusions used by T cells to interrogate their targets. The model not only correctly predicted the relative signaling potencies of known agonists and nonagonists but also achieved this in the absence of kinetic proofreading. Our work provides a simple, quantitative, and predictive molecular framework for understanding why TCR triggering is so selective and fast and reveals that, for some receptors, cell topography likely influences signaling outcomes.

Short-Term and Medium-Term Impact of Retirement on Sport Activity, Self-Reported Health, and Social Activity of Women and Men in Poland

Background. The aim of this study was to assess how retirement affects the short-term (up to 2 years after retirement) and medium-term (2-4 years) sport/exercise activity (S/EA) of Poles. To gain a broader context for interpretation, the effect of retirement on self-rated health status, attitudes, social activity, and sexual life was analysed. Methods. A quasiexperiment utilizing data from the longitudinal study Social Diagnosis and radius-matching method was conducted. Retiring men and women were matched with similar, nonretiring ones to make comparisons of differences in S/EA and other outcomes interpretable in terms of causality. Results. Retirement does not have a significant effect in the short term on S/EA of men (p=.440) and women (p=.340). The satisfaction of men with their health status in this period was improved (p=.007), although they more often declared health problems that impaired their everyday functioning (p=.045). Women rarely reported serious health problems (p=.024). In the medium perspective, retirement had the effect on reducing S/EA in men (p=.012) and various dimensions of their social life. Although men tend to worry more often about their health (p<0.001), they are less likely to suffer from problems with moving (p=.001) and fatigue (p=.013). Despite the fact that women are more often satisfied with their health (p=.027), they also more often complain about heart or chest pain (p=.010), body pain (p=.009), and fatigue (p=.007). Conclusion. It is necessary to prepare employees for retirement much earlier than in the preretirement age. In addition to raising awareness of the effect of S/EA functions, it is necessary to monitor the physical activity of employees and to use appropriate programmes for (1) maintaining motivation among employees who are physically active before they retire and (2) raising awareness and encouraging physical activity in employees who are physically passive.

Farmers’ livelihood through ‘one house one farm’ approach in selected areas of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh

The study was attempted to analyze the impact of ‘one house one farm’ approach on farmers’ livelihood status in some selected areas of Mymensingh district. As the study was based on comparing the farmers’ livelihood, a total of 90 farmers where 45 farmers were selected randomly who were under this project and the rest of 45 farmers were selected who were not under this project from Bhabkhali, Char Nilakshmia and Char Ishwardia union under sadar upazila. The primary data were collected through direct interview method from the selected farmers using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed with a combination of descriptive statistics and econometric analyses like logistic regression and propensity score matching methods to attain the objectives. Sex distribution, family size, training exposure and farm income have positive and significant impact on the adoption of this project. Based on Kernel and Radius matching methods, the average farm household income of the project farmer was increased by the amount of Tk. 28,561.4 to Tk. 16,445.6 per year compared to non-project farmers which is statistically significant at 1% level. Overall employment opportunities were increased by the duration of 22 to 36 man-days for the project farmers compared to non-project farmers. Daily per capita calorie intake from different food items was higher for project farmers than the non-project farmers. The access on human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital and financial capital for project farmers were increased by 29.5%, 25.7%, 9.0%, 18.3% and 22.3%, respectively due to the adoption of ‘one house one farm’ approach. The study also identified some problems faced by the farmers for adopting the project and probable solutions related to those problems. If these problems could be solved within a reasonable time, farmers would be more enthusiastic to adopt the project idea for earning more income which helps them to change their livelihood status ultimately.SAARC J. Agri., 14(2): 90-106 (2016)

Is Access to Agribank Credit an Effective Tool in Improving Household Income? Evidence from the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam

<p class="a"><span lang="EN-US">Access to credit has been thought to be a key factor in rural development and poverty reduction. In Vietnam, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) emerged from the mono-tier banking system in 1988 and performs as a profit-oriented commercial bank sustaining the development of rural areas. During the last two decades, the bank has clearly expanded its share of credit outstanding in total rural credit market volume and this process is in line with the trending development of the national economy. The aim of this study is to examine whether Agribank credit improves household income in the Northern Mountains of Vietnam, where the poor and ethnic minorities are overrepresented in the population. In order to create robust estimates, a joint consideration of all four matching algorithms (</span><span lang="EN-US">nearest-neighbor matching, radius matching, Kernel matching and stratification matching) </span><span lang="EN-US">is applied to the Propensity Score Matching. The study found that access to extension services, ethnicity, and total savings emerged as reliable predictors of credit access among household endowments. Loan volumes increase with total value of household assets. In addition, the impact of credit lies in the range increase of 14.56% to 43.78% of total income, 12.09% to 51.83% of per capita income and 43.64% to 111.60% of nonfarm income of household with credit access. The agricultural bank credit has contributed in improving household income in the Northern Mountains of Vietnam. Results in this study provide further support for the hypothesis that the remarkable progress in poverty reduction in the last two decades in Vietnam is partly attributed to the development of Agribank credit. Experiences of the Agribank in lending to rural areas could be worthwhile for intermediary financial institutions to support rural development in Vietnam.</span></p>

Integrated farming and its impact on farmers’ livelihood in Bangladesh

The study was conducted to identify the present status of integrated farming and its impacts on farmers’ livelihood in comparison to mixed farming. Following two stages sampling procedure, a total of 420 farmers (210 for integrated farming and 210 for mixed farming) were selected from seven study areas of six districts on the basis of having intervention from different NARS institutes and without having any intervention from any organization. Descriptive statistics like sum, average, percentage, etc. were derived and calculated for analyzing the socioeconomic data. Propensity score matching (PSM) were applied with Kernel matching and Radius matching methods to evaluate the impact of integrated farming on farmers’ employment creation and income generation. The highest employment duration for male was 152.5 man-days/year for the farming system C-L-P-F-H under integrated farms and for mixed farms, it was 104.5 man-days/year. The average total income of the integrated farms was Tk. 124839 and for mixed farms, it was Tk. 99641. Average calorie intake of food secure households was 2927.83 kcal and 2839.14 kcal for integrated farming and mixed farming which is higher than the national average calorie intake (i.e., 2122 kcal). To assess the livelihood pattern through asset pentagon approach, noteworthy improvement was found based on different capitals of farm households practicing integrated farming in comparison to mixed farming. Finally, based on different problems, a constraint facing index was calculated in order to suggest policy recommendations.SAARC J. Agri., 13(2): 61-79 (2015)